Fake Marriage Box Set

I shrugged. “I'll probably head back to New York after the New Year,” I said, glancing over at Gretchen to see her reaction. But her smile didn't falter. She was proving to be a tough one to crack. I still didn't know what had happened after we had sex or why she'd still come back to find me a couple of days later, but I was starting to wonder just what the deal was.

I liked it though. It kept me on my toes.

“That's a nice little vacation,” Vicky said.

I laughed. “It's been a very nice little vacation,” I agreed. “In fact, I almost wish that I never had to leave. The pace of life is so different here, compared to New York. It's so much calmer. I'm enjoying it.” I tightened my arm around Gretchen's shoulder. “And I've been enjoying this one's company, as well. Not just in the massage parlor; she took me out to some waterfalls the other day too. It was incredible.”

There were smiles all around at that one. “I'm glad you're getting out and seeing different places,” Mina said. “We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful place.”

“Amen,” was the chorus all around.

Later that evening, after the food had been eaten and I had drunk my way to a pleasant buzz, I sat with Gretchen down on the beach, staring out over the waves. “It is pretty here,” I said quietly, almost reverently.

“It is,” Gretchen agreed. “And I know we don't get more tourists over to this area because it's a little bit of a drive from the hotels and everything else. But honestly, I think these beaches are nicer than some of the other beaches in the area. I love them, but I'm sure it's partly also that there's just so many good memories tied to these beaches.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “I didn't go to luaus for most of the year, and when I finally came back, it's like coming back to family. I know everyone, and they know me, and they just all wanted to know how I was doing and everything.”

“It's a good vibe,” I agreed, glancing back as well.

“Sorry they were a bit rude to you to start with,” Gretchen said, grimacing a little. “They're not usually like that. I think it's just partly jealousy and partly, I don't know. But they warmed up to you after a bit.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “I wasn't too worried either way.”

“Hey, Gretchen,” someone said, walking up to us.

I could see the way that Gretchen stiffened and then forced herself to relax. “Hey Lino,” she said, frowning up at him. “How are you?”

“Good. You?”

“I'm fine,” Gretchen said, her tone a bit cool.

“It's good to see you out at another luau,” the guy said. “Did Mina drag you out, the little rascal?”

Gretchen laughed at that. “No,” she said, her voice warming a little as she spoke about her friend. “No, I decided I wanted to come here on my own. I'm trying to show Christian a little of the local culture and everything while he's here.”

“That's good,” Lino said.

Gretchen yawned. “Anyway. We were just going to take a little stroll down the beach and then call it a night,” she said, pushing herself up to her feet and then reaching around to give me a hand up. “But it was nice seeing you. I'm sure I'll see you for the New Year's luau too.”

“Oh, definitely,” Lino agreed, pulling her into a quick hug and kissing her cheek. I felt my hackles rise, but I wasn't about to act like the jealous boyfriend, not when I didn't know where Gretchen and I stood at the moment and not when I didn't even know who this guy was or what he was to her.

Still, it was good to drop an arm around her shoulders and steer her away from the crowds and down the beach.

“Sorry about that,” Gretchen said, grimacing.

“No problem,” I said easily. “Who is this Lino, though?”

“He's just an ex,” she said, shrugging a little. “We broke up a while ago, don't worry. I don't know why you would worry either way, but whatever Lino and I once had, it's done now.”

“Oh,” I said. I frowned. “To tell you the truth, I've never really dated anyone,” I confessed.

Gretchen laughed. “Never?” she asked. “It's just been one-night stand after one-night stand?”

“Something like that,” I admitted.

“You do a pretty good job of taking a girl out on a date,” Gretchen told me warmly.

I laughed and shook my head. “I'm still smarting from that first date,” I told her. “I did not do a very good job with that one.”

“Okay, maybe not,” Gretchen said. “But it's cute watching you flounder a little.”